“We’re Home!” Part 1: Loving Where We Are Now

We pulled up in front of the house and parked.

I looked out the window of our car at the little white house. A home. Our home for the entirety of our marriage.

A place of rest and refuge.

A place of conflict and peace.

A place of many firsts.

A place of memories

A place of learning Its rooms are full of so many memories and lessons.

In the dining room we learned the importance of consistency.

We learned how to receive nourishment from each other and from the Lord. We ate, played games and had fellowship with friends and family. I’ll never forget the time we had our family over for Zariah’s first birthday party. The dining room was full of such laughter and joy.

In the kitchen we learned how to serve each other.

We learned that our cupboards might not always be full, but that God was and is still our provider. We learned to say thanks for what we had, and we watched as the Lord turned our five loaves and two fish into an abundance for our family. Zariah seems to love the kitchen.

I remember before she could walk she would roll into the kitchen in her little car, just to hang out with Mommy. Now she loves doing the dishes and helping with cooking. As soon as she recognizes that I am doing one of the two, she quickly brings a chair from the dining room and says, “Mommy help you?”

In the bedroom we learned how to love.

We learned how to give ourselves to one another selflessly, and fully. We learned the significance and deepness of God-given intimacy. I remember making that room special by painting it and hanging decor. I loved the feeling of having a room that was set aside. Peaceful. Just for us… until babies came along that is! 🙂

In the living room we learned how to fight.

We learned to acknowledge our own emotion, but set it aside to listen to acknowledge our spouse. We learned to listen. We learned to not walk away. We learned to communicate in the midst of chaos.

Although it seemed to be the place we learned how to fight, it was also the place of family time and fun. Not to mention it was the very place we took pictures after becoming engaged.

In our daughter’s room we learned patience.

We learned parenting skills and principles. We learned how utterly patient God is with us. We learned how to entrust our children to Him.

I’ll never forget how it felt when Zariah first started calling to me from her room. It was especially significant at the time, considering it took her quite a while to get “mama” down.

In the breezeway, or office, we learned to make due with what we had.

We learned to be creative and turn what seems to be nothing into something. We learned to give to others, and we learned to have fun. The breezeway became our getaway for date night when we couldn’t get away. Movie nights and popcorn. Our favorite take-out food. Significant time just for us.

In the basement we learned… how to do laundry.

Haha. 😉

In the attic we learned how to hold on to memories, and how to let them go.

Our attic is big and beautiful. I remember dreaming with Travis about what we could use it for. I remember praying over it, and dreaming that it would itself become a place for prayer.

This house that the Lord gave us holds so many memories… Too many to name. There is so much significance in our home which is why my daughter calling out “We’re home!” caused emotions to well up in me.

You see, on that day when we pulled up in front of our house, we had come from another place. Another home that we had come to love.

WELCOME!

I'm Karissa, but I'm becoming Kiona. Just like you, I long to live a life with deep meaning and purpose. That's why I'm taking this journey of discovering and becoming all that God created me to be. Join me as I seek to inspire you to do the same!